New permit simplification plan aims for 10% growth by eliminating key bottlenecks

Under the leadership of Amsakar Achmad and Li Claudia Chandra, BP Batam is undertaking a sweeping overhaul of its licensing process to boost investment and accelerate economic growth. With a bold 10% growth target in sight, the agency is listening to investors and cutting red tape.

A Push Toward 10% Growth

BP Batam has declared a clear goal: help drive Batam’s economy to grow by 10%, surpassing the national 2029 target of 8% as set by the President. To achieve this, the agency is simplifying business permits in the Batam Free Trade Zone (KPBPB), a move welcomed by local investors and associations.

Three key deputies—Fary Francis (Investment and Business Development), Mouris Limanto (Infrastructure), and Sudirman Saad (Strategic Policy and Licensing)—led a discussion with business stakeholders on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Balairungsari Hall. The meeting marked the launch of BP Batam’s licensing reform framework.

Key Reforms in Focus

The reform blueprint includes several impactful changes aimed at slashing processing time and bureaucratic hurdles:

• Abolition of two major permits: the Planology Decree (Fatwa Planologi) and Land Maturation Permit (Izin Pematangan Lahan), which previously delayed land licensing by up to 70 days.
• Repatriation of authority: transferring licensing responsibilities from multiple ministries back to BP Batam.
• A real-time business complaint dashboard to track and resolve investor issues quickly.
• A centralized One-Stop Service hub in collaboration with Batam’s municipal government.

According to Mouris Limanto, removing the land maturation permit not only streamlines investment but also helps prevent environmental issues like flooding, since land often gets cleared without immediate use.

Engaging the Private Sector

Rather than acting in isolation, BP Batam invited property developers, manufacturers, and association leaders to co-create the simplification plan. This participatory approach was met with optimism and strong support from business leaders.

Robinson Tan, Chairman of the Batam chapter of the Real Estate Indonesia (REI), praised the initiative, stating, “If permit issuance can truly be brought back under BP Batam’s authority, this will be a game-changer. We fully support this direction, especially with clear licensing timelines.”

Proactive Industry Engagement

Deputy Fary Francis emphasized the ongoing “safari” visits to industrial zones to identify obstacles firsthand. “We’re mapping out investment pain points and designing responsive solutions,” he explained. This hands-on effort reflects BP Batam’s broader commitment to inclusive economic development.

The ultimate goal is a healthy, well-regulated investment environment that directly contributes to national targets and local prosperity.

Strategic Importance for Investors

By eliminating redundancies and centralizing control, BP Batam hopes to drastically reduce the permitting timeline and bolster investor confidence. These changes could particularly benefit foreign investors and Singaporean stakeholders eyeing Batam as a satellite manufacturing and logistics hub.

The involvement of both city government and the regional police signals strong institutional alignment, enhancing the credibility of the initiative.

BP Batam’s licensing simplification marks a strategic shift toward investor-centric governance, one that could redefine how Batam competes regionally. For Indonesians, it promises more jobs and smoother processes. For Singaporean businesses, it signals a ripe opportunity to re-engage Batam with greater speed and certainty.

Sources: Antara Kepri (2025) , Kabar Batam (2025)

Keywords: BP Batam, Investment Reform, Simplified Licensing, Batam Free Trade Zone, Economic Development